What Do You Do Now, Pharma Rep??

November 28, 2017

What Now, Pharma Rep??

Call it what you will, it sucks, doesn’t it?! I’ve been there. More than several times. Many of the times I “made” it. A few I didn’t. Some I wish I did…

Like me, there’s a good chance you too have been laid off from your pharmaceutical job. Or maybe you’re waiting to find out if you will be “let go”.

It was during one of these times I started thinking: What can I do? What career is next for me?

That’s when it struck me. Wow, I can combine my pharmaceutical and medical sales and training background, with my previous career of career counseling and coaching! I truly enjoyed this – and have been successful in this crazy world of medical sales – why not join the two and offer insight and advice to others like myself? Yes, that is it!

“xpharmarep”… I am an “xpharmarep”! I too am one of the thousands displaced, and I can help those like me who need guidance, are seeking answers, and may need coaching to lead into a viable second (or more) career.

How Do You Uncover Your Next Career Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?

What can you do now pharma rep?That’s the ultimate question most, if not all, pharmaceutical sales representatives ask.Pharmaceutical sales is still a great career.OK, some of you may dispute this statement and yes, the industry and profession has changed significantly over the past several years.Companies have slashed marketing budgets, incentives aren’t what they used to be, salaries have been cut, generic medicines have infiltrated the branded pharmaceutical product marketplace making the sale more difficult, and the perception of pharmaceutical companies, and pharma sales representatives, has been lowered to that of the insurance industry and used car salesmen.But think of the positive too:pharmaceutical reps work in a highly competitive field with generally a decent salary, and in many cases a good incentive plan; a company provided vehicle or car expense reimbursement; opportunity to advance to management, marketing, product team development and other options;and it’s still a career that many would only dream of having.

If you’ve been laid off from a pharmaceutical company, may be displaced, or desire another viable career, what once was doesn’t help though.You can of course attempt to re-enter the pharmaceutical industry.Considering the number of sales rep layoffs in the previous 3-5 years, and the strong likelihood of many more pharmaceutical companies downsizing, merging, and displacing pharma and medical sales professionals in the future however, you really should consider other career choices.What those career choices are will be largely determined by you.The question is, how do you do it?How do you find your purpose, your direction in this life?

There a number of factors that will and can direct you in finding yourself.For some folks this is easy, and they knew from an early age exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up.Their life is predetermined – it’s a given what they’ll be as an adult.“When I grow up I’m going to be a ballerina!… I will be a veterinarian!…My dream is to be a computer game developer!”Often though our dreams as a child don’t pan out, or aren’t realistic, or possibly we seriously want to live that career dream but for one reason or another don’t quite make it.

For many others those dreams as a kid aren’t as refined and specific.Hey, we just want to make it out of childhood and start making money – it doesn’t matter, as long as we have all we need.Unfortunately those of us in this scenario realize that maybe we should have spent more time thinking about our future jobs and career direction when the ballerina want-to-be was practicing pirouettes, the neighborhood dog lover was volunteering at the animal clinic, and the computer geek was learning code in his basement.Then when we’re in a job that isn’t fulfilling, or when the layoff notice comes, we think it’s too late.What can and will I do now?

But is it too late?Yeah maybe, for some.But it really doesn’t have to be that way, if you’re motivated and truly desire a new direction.Studies show that on average most working adults change careers – careers, not jobs! – about six to seven times in their lives.Think about your own life:this very likely is close to what you’ve experienced too, depending upon how old you are.You may have been a retail merchandiser earlier in your career journey, then progressed to marketing and sales associate for an internet company, then onto outside sales for a book distributor, then into pharmaceutical sales.Remember, we’re talking about averages here.Your life example may have been go to college, graduate, enter the professional world as a pharmaceutical sales representative, then go and get laid off.No problem.Now may be your time to up your career average!

To find your direction you’ll need to do some deep thinking.Introspection is a valuable key to uncovering who you are and what direction you should take after pharmaceuticals.When you really take some time to think about yourself, who you are, what has defined and directed you up to this point, that’s when options present themselves.Here’s an exercise to help you with this:Pick a day of the week that you’re free from the responsibilities of children, spouse or significant other, and other typical distractions like cell/smart phone, and e-mail.If possible head to a quiet location like a favorite spot on the beach, to the banks of a beautiful stream, a mountainside park, or other great natural location.Expect to spend between one and two hours and bring a journal and pen or laptop computer (preferably a journal so you can jot down random thoughts that may pop up).

Now begin to reflect on what has brought you to this point in your life.What were your thoughts and ambitions as a kid?Even if this means you wanted to be that ballerina but didn’t make it.What about those goals really excited you?What were the driving influences in your life?Before you entered college what were your dreams and ambitions?When you entered pharmaceutical sales what were your expectations?What really excited you about pharma sales when you first started working?If in these last examples you entered pharma to earn a ton of money but didn’t really enjoy the job, include this!The idea here is to clear your thoughts and start anew with who you are at the base level.Don’t put down job titles or make it like a resume!Look beyond and deeper!What stories can you tell that truly excite you about you?Maybe a trip you took across the country as a young adult still brings a huge smile.It could have been your volunteer time at a community center, or maybe you feel best when speaking and communicating in front of groups.You’re not a writer?Not a problem!This is not an exercise to see if you can compose an essay that is grammatically or editorially correct.You should feel free to either write short stories, to put down key words and thoughts answering those questions, or use some other format that best fits your style and thoughts.There’s no right or wrong way to do this!

How long should this exercise take?As long as you need to start finding some answers!For some this will take two or three separate times.Others may take much longer.It doesn’t matter, as long as you start to see patterns.Which is the next point:As you’re contemplating, reflecting, writing, and reading, you should begin to uncover a theme and definitions of who you are when you’re at your best, your happiest.For example, if you included gathering friends for a successful pick up game of baseball when a kid as a memorable time, and motivating family friends as an adult to take a vacation to the mountains, you might start to see that organizing, encouraging, and persuading really brings you happiness.When you feel comfortable that you are beginning to see this, you are done.Well, the first step in your journey at least!

Yeah, I know you’re saying “whatever, I can’t or won’t do this!”Remember that this is for YOU to discover who you are.Only then can you really start your search for careers after pharmaceuticals that match your true interests.Why not make your next career choice one that you truly desire?You can!But it will take some reflection and introspection.But you must start today!